It’s no secret that NFL player contracts have skyrocketed in the modern era, but Indianapolis Colts wideout Alec Pierce’s latest extension particularly stands out. The team seems on a mission to return strong for another playoff push next season, given the $114 million they’re paying Pierce.
How did the NFL world respond to the latest news?
NFL Experts Are Split on Colts Extending Alec Pierce’s Stay
Pierce proved to be a stellar deep threat this past season. While he caught only 47 balls, he still ranked among the 20 receivers who recorded 1,000 yards, averaging 21.3 yards per reception (84.6 PFSN WR Impact). As such, the Colts’ front office saw it fit to extend his stay in Indy with a four-year, $114 million contract.
The Colts and WR Alec Pierce agreed to terms on a massive four-year, $114 million contract extension, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Indy keeps its top receiver and Pierce gets his payday on a deal negotiated by CJ LaBoy and Michael Swenson of @WassermanFootball. pic.twitter.com/02DVZUoq7x
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2026
“The Colts and WR Alec Pierce agreed to terms on a massive four-year, $114 million contract extension,” insider Tom Pelissero reported.
Experts around the league quickly responded with their takes.
“$29M per year!!!! Draft WRs early!” Fansided’s Marcus Mosher said.
“Alec Pierce is a fun player but $29M a year seems wild to me,” The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt tweeted. “He’s now the 9th-highest paid WR in the NFL.”
Wide receivers Alec Pierce will make more money than in 2026 👀
Be the GM for your favorite team: https://t.co/r7cv5QlDii pic.twitter.com/IjTnJZ4Qge
— PFSN (@PFSN365) March 9, 2026
While the 25-year-old wide receiver has proven that he can add value to an offense, a lot of people aren’t convinced that value amounts to anything near $28.5 million per year. He’ll be making more than Philadelphia Eagles star DeVonta Smith, Houston Texans frontman Nico Collins, and teammate Michael Pittman, who caught almost twice as many passes as him in 2025.
“$28.5m APY for Alec Pierce, so obviously the 49ers weren’t actually willing to go to $30m as some rumors suggested,” The SF Standard’s David Lombardi posted.
“Massive money for Alec Pierce coming off career year and Indy takes top WR off board as free agency tampering period opens,” NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe said.
However, Pierce also has his supporters, who believe the receiver is capitalizing on high stock just as his previous contract expired. He quietly established himself as a reliable piece on the Colts’ offense in the four years he’s spent in the city. While his number of receptions never turned any heads, the fact that he posted a 1,000-yard season on just 47 catches in 2025 is highly unusual.
“Sheesh,” two-time Super Bowl champ Damien Woody tweeted.
Indy looks to make amends for that sad ending to what was a very promising 2025 campaign. Getting the right pieces in place will be key, and it’ll be interesting to see whether Pierce pans out the way the front office hopes.
